After a successful run as coach and general manager of the Portland Winterhawks, Mike Johnston is set to be introduced as head coach of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday morning. We'll have live updates here as the news conference unfolds, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pacific.

9:56 a.m.: Johnston on developing young players in Portland ... Says it was a valuable experience, and he learned the stresses the young players are under trying to become pros and more about their generation and what makes them tick.

9:54 a.m.: Johnston says centers are key to his system, and he has great ones in Pittsburgh.

9:52 a.m.: Johnston talks about the balance that he'll have on his staff in terms of playing and coaching experience.

9:49 a.m.: Johnston on expectations: "From training camp, through the first part of the season, everything we do is setting the table for the playoffs." Says it's not so much about the score as it is the habits that set the table.

9:47 a.m.: Johnston on handling star players: Says they'll be very clear about roles and expectations for every player. Says once that's clear, every guy will want to be a part of it and execute the plan.

9:45 a.m.: With the Penguins, Johnston says, the core group is exactly where he wants it. But as far as the pieces to go with that group, he says there will be discussion about what the coaches and GM Rutherford need.

9:44 a.m.: Assistant Rick Tocchet on the Penguins: Says it's a good hockey club, and that the players will enjoy the high tempo that Johnston will employ.

9:42 a.m.: Johnston says his strengths have been building a program, a template and an identity. From the identity, he says, there are core things you can see, and once you build the template, you maneuver pieces around, but it's a process.

9:40 a.m.: Johnston says he really wants to play a pace game and says Pittsburgh was built on that style.

9:38 a.m.: Rick Tocchet speaks briefly and says he's excited to be working with Johnston. Tocchet says he's friends with Travis Green and knows that Johnston thinks outside the box.

9:36 a.m.: Johnston thanks the Winterhawks, owner Bill Gallacher and staff. "It was a great five and a half years in Portland." Says the experience in Portland was a good template for what he has in front of him in Pittsburgh.

9:35 a.m.: Johnston says he is "thrilled and excited" to be in Pittsburgh with the Penguins. "To get to this level is something I've always aspired to do." Says it's been his dream and his goal.

9:29 a.m.: The Penguins make it official with a news release announcing Johnston's hiring. "Mike comes to Pittsburgh with great experience at all levels of hockey," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in written statement. "He has terrific knowledge of the game and proven leadership ability. His coaching style is going to be a good for the players we have here with the Penguins — it's an up-tempo style, but it begins from deep in the defensive zone. We're very excited to have him."

Former Penguins RW and Tampa Bay coach Rick Tocchet is expected to be named to Mike Johnston's staff.